Football World Cup 2002: BECKS: WAS I FIT ENOUGH? I CAN'T SAY

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jun 23, 2002 | by ANTHONY CLAVANE

WHEN David Beckham left Awaji Island yesterday he was applauded by the media and mobbed by the Japanese girls waiting outside England's training camp to get a glimpse of Mohican Man.

Four years ago he departed France in disgrace to face a torrent of abuse from his critics.

Beckham's metamorphosis from petulant bad boy to the country's finest ambassador is complete. But, despite all that, the question must still be asked: Was it wise to risk him in this tournament?

Beckham said, at his final World Cup press conference: "Who can say whether I was fit enough?

"When you do come into a big competition like this it's going to be hard, but I felt that I was coming back to full fitness.

"Of course I felt fit enough and that was enough for me. And it was enough for the manager."

But was it enough for England? Becks is undoubtedly a talismanic figure to the youngest side of the tournament. And he played an important part in three of the side's goals, as well as scoring a brave penalty against Argentina.

Against Brazil, however, he was clearly below his best. He even, crucially, jumped out of a tackle. Ronaldinho then went on to set up Rivaldo for the equaliser, and the South Americans were back in the game.

The skipper admits that this was the turning-point of the match. He said: "I don't think Brazil deserved to win. I felt we'd beat them after going 1-0 up. If we had stayed 1-0 up at half-time Brazil would have been bewildered about what to do.

"But once they got the goal it changed. It was a difficult time to concede a goal. Then to concede one straight after half-time made it even harder."

After being out for seven weeks, it was a hard decision to play him. Sven Goran Eriksson said that when he and Paul Scholes tire England go off the pace.

No wonder England failed to score in the second halves of each of their games.

There is no doubt that a less-than-fit Beckham faded away at the end and, in most of those encounters, England were hanging on, relying on a rearguard action by the heroic backline.

But the Essex boy was determined to be bullish. He played the loyal captain's role, accepting no problems, professing no regrets and claiming: "Of course the future is bright."

His mantra is: "It wasn't meant to be." He used this phrase continually, as though fate alone stopped England winning the World Cup.

Whereas Eriksson and Tord Grip have spoken about the side's weaknesses, Beckham countered: "I don't think that there are any problems.

"Obviously we would have liked to go further, but to say there are problems is wrong.

"We're a young team still learning. Of course we needed experience in such a big competition. But the teams we've come up against in this World Cup have been big ones. So we've done well.

"I haven't got any regrets about what has happened in this World Cup."

It has been an emotional and bonding experience for the 23 players in the squad, and the Manchester United star excels in his England role as unifier.

The nation, of course, will not turn on him for jumping out of the tackle that led to the Brazilian equaliser. But you get the feeling that even if he'd have put the ball in his own net he'd have been forgiven this time. Which can only be a good thing.

Players make mistakes - they are only human. The way Becks and Co publicly rallied round David Seaman after his bizarre error speaks volumes for team spirit. After the infamous red card in 1998, Glenn Hoddle apparently blanked Beckham.

"I'm sure David feels better now," said the man who provided a comforting shoulder for the keeper to cry on. "He's got nothing to get upset about."

The United star, like Seaman, shed tears after the defeat in Shizuoka Stadium. This is because he really thought that England could reach the World Cup Final.

He said: "I've been feeling throughout this tournament that we were going to go all the way. I'd not told anyone because I didn't want to upset anything. But I had a funny feeling we'd do it. Still, we've had a great time out here."

Again, we return to the question of Beckham's fitness. He looked weary against Brazil, and this had a palpable effect on the team. It's not surprising, given he broke the metatarsal bone in his left foot just 10 weeks ago. Tord Grip admitted he was only operating at 75 per cent efficiency.

It was a gamble to play Becks. But what was the alternative? England have come to rely on their captain, and given the other injuries - Steven Gerrard, Danny Murphy and Gary Neville - there was no choice.

Does he think missing these three stopped England winning the trophy? "It's not fair to say that if we'd had players who were fit we'd have got any further. The whole 23-man squad have been excellent."

This might not be accurate, but it's supportive. Leave the post- mortems to the media. Beckham sees his job as rallying the troops.

He added: "To reach the World Cup quarter-final with these players was a great achievement. For a lot of them it was their first World Cup."

And so he left for the long flight home - "We all want to get back to our families" - but not before ending on an Oscar-style thankyou speech.